Crook stung by 100 WASPS as he answers nature's call during burglary

AS police stings go, the arrest of burglar Jamie Brown has caused a buzz.

The Range store in Leeds where Jamie Brown was caught stealing [BEN LACK]

For the 29-year-old crook disturbed a wasp nest as he answered nature's call while hiding from officers.

The hapless crook was stung 100 times by the furious flying insects and officers heard his cries of pain.

Today hapless Brown pleaded guilty to burglary after he broke into The Range home and garden storeshop, in Leeds, West Yorks, on Saturday August 9, and stole a fish tank worth £199.99.

Prosecutor Lorraine Harris told Leeds Magistrates' Court that two police officers had parked their car and spotted Brown running towards them sweating and rubbing his head, at around 8:15pm.

She said: "He told them he had been running home and had been attacked by wasps."

But a member of the public told officers they had spotted him by the store wearing a face mask.

Officers found the discarded fish tank along with a pair of gloves, close to the scene.

Brown was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.

Ms Harris added: "He said he had been visiting his aunt and was caught short on the way home and had taken to the bushes to relieve himself."

Inspector Chris Bowen, of Leeds inner south neighbourhood policing team (NPT), said: "Instead of taking him to the cells we had to take him straight to hospital."

Brown was stung 100 times by a swarm of bees [GETTY]

Instead of taking him to the cells we had to take him straight to hospital

Inspector Chris Bowen

He added: "He was apparently in so much pain after sitting on or disturbing the nest that he was struggling to breathe. He was in hospital for about five or six hours, but seems to be physically well now."

Mitigating Stephen Smithson, said: "The defendant is well known to the court but you can see various gaps as he has managed to hold himself in a position where he has had no need to commit any offences such as times where he has been in a relationship or in employment.

"Regrettably he started taking drugs and committing further offences. He pleaded guilty in an attempt to get matters resolved as quickly as possible."

Brown, who was already subject to a suspended 16 week sentence for previous offences, was jailed for a further eight weeks to be served consecutively.

Deputy District Judge Andrew Pascoe said he had no choice but to send Brown to prison for breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence.

He said: "I hope you use the time usefully to try and get help towards your drug problem."

There was little sympathy for Brown's injuries after news of his arrest hit social media site Facebook.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team wrote: "A male has been arrested after breaking into business premises in Hunslet.

"The male is however currently in hospital after making the unfortunate decision to hide from the police in a bush and thus disturbing a wasps nest."

The post went viral and was "liked" by over 1,700 followers and attracted over 200 comments.

One user joked that the burglar must have been "buzzing" after the incident.

Another said: "So wasps do have a purpose after all."

Another added: "Love a bit of karma."

In a further update of the NPT page followers were told: "You will be pleased to know his swellings have gone down."